Phytochemicals and Bioactivities of Syzygium filiformevar. filiforme

Syzygium filiforme var. filiforme is a plant variety from dicotyledonous plant family (Myrtaceae). Phytochemical studies on S. filiforme var. filiforme stem bark have successfully isolated and characterized arjunolic acid (1), alphitolic acid (2), betulinic acid (3), ursolic acid (4), ursolic acid 3-methyl ester (5), β-sitosterol (6) and stigmasterol (7). The inhibitory activities against free radical, starch, and bacteria for major compounds were tested by using DPPH, α-glucosidase and minimum inhibitory and bacterial concentration assays, respectively. No promising antioxidant activity was shown on tested samples except methanolic crude extract. For antidiabetic activity, methanolic and dichloromethane crude extracts displayed potent activity compared to 1-deoxynojirimycin. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) assays for antibacterial activity were evaluated on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. All crude extracts and major compounds displayed weak and no promising activities for MIC method, respectively. Meanwhile, for MBC method, hexane crude extract and compound 1 showed inhibition against B. subtilis.

Anti-Diabetic Effects of Isolated Lipids from Natural Sources through Modulation of Angiogenesis

Background: Aberrant angiogenesis plays a fateful role in the development of diabetes and diabetic complications. Lipids, as a diverse group of biomacromolecules, are able to relieve diabetes through the modulation of angiogenesis. Objective: Owing to the present remarkable anti-diabetic effects with no or few side effects of lipids, the aim of this study was to assess the state-of-the-art research on anti-diabetic effects of lipids via the modulation of angiogenesis. Methods: To study the effects of lipids in diabetes via modulation of angiogenesis, we have searched the electronic databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane. Results: The promising anti-diabetic effects of lipids were reported in several studies. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from fish oil (FO) were reported to significantly induce neovasculogenesis in high glucose (HG)-mediated endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) neovasculogenic dysfunction in type 2 diabetic mice. Linoleic acid, mono-epoxy-tocotrienol-α (MeT3α), and ginsenoside Rg1 facilitate wound closure and vessel formation. N-Palmitoylethanolamine (PEA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), omega-3 (ω3) lipids from flaxseed (FS) oil, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), lipoic acid, taurine, and zeaxanthin (Zx) are effective in diabetic retinopathy via suppression of angiogenesis. Lysophosphatidic acid, alkyl-glycerophosphate, crocin, arjunolic acid, α-lipoic acid, and FS oil are involved in the management of diabetes and its cardiac complications. Furthermore, in two clinical trials, R-(+)-lipoic acid (RLA) in combination with hyperbaric oxygenation therapy (HBOT) for treatment of chronic wound healing in DM patients, as well as supplementation with DHA plus antioxidants along with intravitreal ranibizumab were investigated for its effects on diabetic macular edema. Conclusion: Proof-of-concept studies presented here seem to well shed light on the anti-diabetic effects of lipids via modulation of angiogenesis.

The Identification of New Triterpenoids in Eucalyptus globulus Wood

Eight polyhydroxy triterpenoid acids, hederagenin, (4α)-23-hydroxybetulinic acid, maslinic acid, corosolic acid, arjunolic acid, asiatic acid, caulophyllogenin, and madecassic acid, with 2, 3, and 4 hydroxyl substituents, were identified and quantified in the dichloromethane extract of Eucalyptus globulus wood by comparing their GC-retention time and mass spectra with standards. Two other triterpenoid acids were tentatively identified by analyzing their mass spectra, as (2α)-2-hydroxybetulinic acid and (2α,4α)-2,23-dihydroxybetulinic acid, with 2 and 3 hydroxyl substituents. Two MS detectors were used, a quadrupole ion trap (QIT) and a quadrupole mass filter (QMF). The EI fragmentation pattern of the trimethylsilylated polyhydroxy structures of these triterpenoid acids is characterized by the sequential loss of the trimethylsilylated hydroxyl groups, most of them by the retro-Diels-Alder (rDA) opening of the C ring with a π-bond at C12-C13. The rDA C-ring opening produces ions at m/z 320 (or 318) and m/z 278 (or 277, 276, 366). Sequential losses of the hydroxyl groups produce ions with m/z from [M - 90] to [M - 90*y], where y is the number of hydroxyl substituents present (from 2 to 4). Moreover, specific cleavage in ring E was observed, passing from m/z 203 to m/z 133 and conducting other major fragments such as m/z 189.

Terminalia arjuna: A Potential Ayurvedic Cardio Tonic

Herbal plants have been a significant source of therapeutic agents to cure human diseases. Plants are being in use for treating various kinds of diseases across the world. Terminalia arjuna is a widely used herbal plant since ancient times. The ancient indian practitioners utilized the powdered tree bark of arjuna for the treatment of "hritshool" (angina) and other cardiovascular problems. Terminalia arjuna is regionally called as arjuna which belongs to the combretaceae family. The plant is utilized as a medicine in the various indigenous system like ayurveda, siddha and unani. Arjunic acid, arjunolic acid, arjungenin, arjunone, arjunolone and luteolin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, oligomeric proanthocyanidins (opcs), phytosterols are the major phytoconstituents of Terminalia arjuna that possesses many useful biological properties like anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifeedant, cardio protective, etc. Various clinical evidence of Terminalia arjuna and its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. The present review is summarizing the phytomedicinal value of Terminalia arjuna in ayurveda and the folk system of medicine.

Chemical analysis and Biological properties of Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. from Eastern Chad

Based on a previous ethnobotanical survey, <em>Terminalia macroptera</em> Guill. &amp; Perr. was selected as its heartwood is traditionally used for infections treatment and as mosquito repellent in the province of Ouaddai (Chad). In our course for a better knowledge of this medicinal plant which could be developed as phytomedicine, it is of great interest to subsequently characterize the chemical profile and bioactivities of this plant. In the present study we develop an Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection coupled to electrospray ionization and quadrupole time-of-flight (UHPLC-DAD-ESI/QTOF) technique to characterized on line potentially bioactive compounds. Thirteen compounds were identified in active extracts and fractions from <em>Terminalia macroptera </em>Guill. &amp; Perr. heartwood, namely gallic and ellagic acids derivatives, 23-<em>O</em>-galloyl-terminolic acid, 23-<em>O</em>-galloyl arjunolic acid, 4,4’-dihydroxy-Z-stilbene-<em>O</em>-rutinoside and 3,5,4’-trihydroxy-Z-stilbene-<em>O</em>-rutinoside. Antibacterial properties were evaluated against sensitive and resistant <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> strains and antioxidant activities using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH). Stilbene derivatives, 23-<em>O</em>-galloyl-terminolic acid and 23-<em>O</em>-galloyl arjunolic acid are newly reported in <em>T. macroptera </em>Guill. &amp; Perr.

Agro-climatic zone-based identification of elite Terminalia arjuna accessions concerning to arjunolic acid production

Man has been dependent on vegetation in different forms since antiquity. Plants and trees have been used in the form of medications since the old times. Although the use of plant parts in the form of medicine has been less than that of the plants, therefore today it is necessary to explore some such medicinal trees. Among these, one of these trees is Arjun, whose bark is described also in Ayurveda due to its divine medicinal properties in heart diseases. The present study based on the isolation and analysis of the Phyto-constituents of the stem bark extract of Terminalia arjuna member to the family Combretaceae collected from different agro-climatic zones of India. The samples were subjected to quantitative phytochemical analysis i.e., arjunolic acid, screening by implementing the standard procedure. Observation has shown the presence of arjunolic acid in the stem bark extracts in different fractions obtained by the use of various organic solvents. Therefore, the bark extracts of the chosen plants may function as a good source of components of useful drugs for cardiovascular disorders and may also be used for the preparation of other pharmaceutical products.